Who we are
Project Archaeology is an educational organization dedicated to teaching scientific and historical inquiry, cultural understanding, and the importance of protecting our nation’s rich cultural resources. We are a national network of archaeologists, educators, and concerned citizens working to make archaeology education accessible to students and teachers nationwide through high-quality educational materials and professional development. Project Archaeology gives students a basic understanding of how archaeology works and teaches them to respect and protect our nation’s rich cultural heritage.
Project Archaeology is Composed of Four Integral Components:
- High-quality grade-level and regionally appropriate curricular materials.
- Professional development for formal and informal educators.
- Continuing professional support.
- A national network of archaeology educators.
National Network
Project Archaeology operates through a national network of state and regional programs. These programs offer local workshop and institutes for educators; experiences for school groups and family learners at archaeological sites, museums, and visitor centers; and continuing support for Project Archaeology teachers.
Project Archaeology Offers High-Quality Curriculum Guides
Project Archaeology Curricula
Project Archaeology: Investigating Shelter
2009, 2012; curriculum guide for teachers and students in grades 3-5; supplemented with online regional investigations
Project Archaeology: Investigating Rock Art
2018; curriculum guide for teachers and students in grades 3-5; supplemented with online regional investigations
Project Archaeology: Investigating Nutrition
2015; curriculum guide for grade 6 for world history; investigation of agriculture in ancient Near East
Project Archaeology: Investigating a Roman Villa
2019; curriculum guide for grades 6-12 for world history and Latin
Project Archaeology: Investigating Food and Land
2019; curriculum guide for grades 4-5; will be supplemented with online regional investigations
Project Archaeology Curricula
Project Archaeology: Investigating Yellowstone
2019; curriculum guide for grades 4-5; focuses on the archaeology and ecology of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Project Archaeology: Investigating a Historic Mining Town
2018; place-based curriculum guide for Garnet Ghost Town, contains classroom and onsite lessons
Project Archaeology: Investigating Fort Meade
2014; curriculum guide for the Fort Meade Historic Site and BLM Recreation Area, contains classroom and onsite lessons
Project Archaeology: Investigating First Peoples, a Clovis Child Burial
2014; curriculum guide for grades 6-12; science and ethics of studying human remains
Project Archaeology Curricula
Last printed in 1996;
Discovering Archaeology in Colorado
2000; culture history essays; supplements Intrigue of the Past; contains additional localized lessons
Discovering Archaeology in New Mexico
No date; cultural history essays; supplements Intrigue of the Past; contains additional localized lessons
Discovering Archaeology in Wyoming
1997; cultural history essays, supplements Intrigue of the Past; contains additional localized lessons
Getting to Know Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
2005; guide for visitors and educators, contains activities for educators which can be conducted in the Monument or in the classroom
This is by far the best workshop I have attended in a very long time. Not only did I learn new lessons to teach, but I am so excited that I can integrate them right into reading, writing, and math.
Professional Development for Educators
Delivery of educational materials through professional development workshops, peer mentoring, and online courses ensures that the materials will be used effectively.
Continuing Professional Support
Continuing support ensures that educators will continue to use Project Archaeology effectively in the classroom and gives them innovative new ways to teach archaeology. Forms of continuing professional support employed by Project Archaeology state and national programs include:
- New grade-level and regionally appropriate curricular materials
- Alignment of all materials to current educational standards
- Advanced professional development via conferences and institutes
- Newsletters and current information on archaeology education
- Information disseminated via Blog and Facebook
My students came away from this unit with the feeling that they had made significant advances in their ability to reason and the data and feedback that i recorded showed that they were correct.
Participants Discover the Science of Archaeology Through:
- Lesson plans that teach basic concepts and principles.
- The expertise of professional archaeologists.
- Discussions of the need to preserve and protect sites and artifacts.
- Consideration of Native American and other cultural perspectives on archaeological preservation.
Project Archaeology Guidelines Serve Two Purposes
- Guidance For Planning A New State, Local, Or Regional Project Archaeology Program
- Guidance For Maintaining An Existing Project Archaeology Program.
- Download Project Archaeology Guidelines (.pdf)
History of Project Archaeology
Project Archaeology is a national archaeology education program founded by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for educators and their students. Project Archaeology was developed in the early 1990s for three purposes: to develop awareness of our nation’s diverse and fragile archaeological sites, to instill a sense of personal responsibility for stewardship of these sites, and to enhance science literacy and cultural understanding through the study of archaeology. Project Archaeology is a joint program of Montana State University and the Bureau of Land Management. The program began in Utah in 1990 as a statewide project to combat the vandalism and looting of archaeological sites.
National Curriculum Guide
Project Archaeology offers diverse curricula spanning upper elementary to high school. These materials include Project Archaeology: Investigating Shelter, Project Archaeology: Investigating Nutrition, Project Archaeology: Investigating Rock Art, and various other place-based curricula.
Help Project Archaeology Save the World
Thank you for supporting our work to develop culturally relevant curricula, instilling